Child Protective Services and Court Appointed Special Advocates held a joint meeting Tuesday, July 25, at the First Baptist Church in Mineola.

Laci Alexander, foster & adoption home developer for CPS, and Kathy Clark, community outreach coordinator for CASA, each gave a presentation detailing their work with their respective organizations.

A question and answer session was held following the presentations. Those in attendance also received help from Alexander and Clark regarding applications and other paper work associated with services offered and provided by CPS and CASA.

Child Protective Services investigates reports of abuse and neglect of children, provides services to children and families in their own homes, places children in foster care, provides services to help youth in foster care successfully transition to adulthood and helps children get adopted.

CASA provides valuable volunteer advocacy for abused children in the community. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system.

CASA volunteers are screened and highly trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests in the child protection system. Each volunteer is assigned to help one child or set of siblings at a time, so they can focus on giving that child or sibling group the individualized advocacy and attention they need. CASA volunteers save taxpayers’ money and children’s futures by helping children find a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.

For more information regarding CPS services, contact Laci Alexander at 903-439-9269 or visit dfps.state.tx.us.

For information on CASA services, contact Kathy Clark at 903-597-7725 or visit casaforkidsofeasttexas.texascasa.org.